Something of a Prodigal (and prodigious) Student, Adam left Burke for a year in his 9th Grade. Lucky for Burke, after this mysterious, walk-about year in the educational wilderness, he returned in 10th Grade for the balance of his High School years. Given that one of his many interests is linguistics, Burke.Word needed to have a word with Adam before he left again – this time for college. In this way – we could preserve what is on his mind and the tip of his tongue to help guide future Burke generations who, like Adam, want to define their own, independent meaning of “success” in high school.
What is the most embarrassing song on your ipod?
I have an endlessly embarrassing collection of Musical Theatre soundtracks. Wicked, Billy Elliot, Rent. They’re all remarkably embarrassing, none more than the others.
Who’s on your list of Fave Five people of all time?
It’s impossible to answer this question without sounding disingenuous, unless you list people that no one has heard of. I’ll try anyway… A few names:
Most of the people in my family.
Conor Oberst.
John Lennon
Rachel Maddow.
I like people who aren’t afraid to tell people what they think.
I wish I knew how to…
… admit when I am wrong. Ask anyone.
What was the best present that you received when you were young?
A drum set. Duh. Every little boy wants a drum set.
Tell us a piece of good or bad advice you’ve received that will stay with you.
Nothing too bad (or too good) lasts forever.
What can’t you live without?
Oxygen. And folk music.
What do you really care about?
It changes. Right now, repaying all of the people who have been too good to me.
Is there other sentient life out in the universe? – What’s it like?
I hope so. I hope that the people here on earth aren’t all there is to this universe. That would be disappointing…
Do you sing in the shower or the car?
Both. Anyone who doesn’t is too boring. This should be the first question.
What phrase do you use too often?
“In this way.”
I often sound like I am speaking in essay form. In this way, I sound like a real big jerk.
What mild mannered person at Burke is secretly a super hero? What’s their power? What’s their super name?
I’m surprised no one has answered “Bob K.” In the 10th grade, we actually believed that he wasn’t human. We watched him closely all year, in hopes that we might find his flaw. In fact, I only took AP Chem to buy me a little more close-up time. As for a super hero name, “Captain Perfect,” perhaps. Power? Grading Tests and Quizzes from three different sections of Chem and Lab Reports for AP Seniors all between the hours of 4 and 6 AM.
Truth is…
…Truth. There is an unfortunate myth that pervades our community that one person can believe one thing to be true and another some other thing, and both can be right. As valuable as open-mindedness is, that simply can’t be true. Someone is right, and someone is wrong.
Where do you most like to hang out at or near Burke?
Sometimes, I just wander into the Renaissance Office. Some of my favorite people live there.
If you were to name your guitar – what would it be?
Beowulf. No question.
What have you learned while at Burke?
That second chances are worth a lot, time and time again.
What’s your favorite song of all time? Why?
I am one of those people whose favorite song of all time changes from week to week. I do, however, always have one song that I can listen to five or ten times in a row. To name a few that have passed through:
“A Man / Me / Then Jim” by Rilo Kiley
“Landlocked Blues” by Bright Eyes
“I Was Young When I Left Home” as performed by Bob Dylan
“Lenders in the Temple” by Conor Oberst
“I’m So Tired” by The Beatles
Sometimes you hear a song that is just perfect. Some songs just do everything in a way such that you wouldn’t change a thing.
What’s your most vivid memory of your time at Burke?
Long story: We once tricked Dylan Kaplan by speaking casually about a few Burke Runners qualifying for Track Nationals in Sacramento. As expected, Dylan overheard and was excited. When we later discussed that “someone should announce their names at assembly,” Dylan ardently volunteered. So, Dylan Kaplan proudly announced the fictitious Championship and the names of the few select runners to a confused Burke Assembly. We got it on tape.
If you could change one thing about education what would it be?
I would love to see a world in which academic success was dependent only on intelligence and passion, not on money or hollow, insubstantial time plus effort. It’d be nice to fill universities with geniuses who care and not number-crunching bookworms.
Tell us about a time when you were really happy.
The whole summer between 11th and 12th grade. It was nearly perfect.
I’m pretty happy now, though.
What scares you the most?
Sam Ross.
Whom do you think that Edmundification should spotlight next?
Dylan Kaplan. I mean, come on.
What question would you like to ask the next Edmundification Celebrity?
What is “success”?
